Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The provision of library services, including the provision of library buildings, is primarily a matter for local authorities in their capacity as library authorities under the Local Government Act 2001. As the first step in the development of a public library, local authorities are required to submit an application for approval in principle to my Department as part of my Department's Four Stage Capital Management process, where we consider the physical location, size, and access to the proposed library.

Laois County Council engaged fully with my Department's Four Stage Capital Management process as they advanced the Portlaoise Library application. In October 2019, my Department issued its final Stage 4 approval for the project. This approval included a Funding Agreement between my Department and Laois County Council, setting out the roles and responsibilities of both parties.

Section 1 of the Funding Agreement set out the local authority’s role and responsibilities and provided that the Local Authority “be responsible for the overall co-ordination, management, planning and implementation of the project and must establish effective cost controls from the onset;”.

I have been advised by Laois County Council that a professionally certified compliance report was provided to the building control authority at building completion stage. A Disability Access Certificate was subsequently granted by the building control authority on 11th July 2023. This certificate confirms the library and the passenger lift is compliant with the standards set out in the “Building Control Regulations 2010, Technical Guidance Document M - Access and Use”, which were applicable at the time.